EU CLimate Policy

The EU can and must be a climate leader

EU leaders have agreed to a binding target of a 20% reduction of carbon emissions levels by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The EU is already on its way to achieving its climate target. The Greens/EFA group thus pushes the EU to increase its own domestic climate ambition and set itself a binding target of at least 30% by 2020. Such a decision would foster the green economy, incite investment in renewable energy sources and create green jobs.  By raising its emissions target the EU would also strongly encourage the rest of the world to take further climate action and give some momentum to international climate discussions.

To be able to play a real leading role at the international level, the EU must take action within its borders. The Greens/EFA therefore wants to pave the way for green industries, green technologies and renewable energy sources and the phasing-out of dangerous and costly energy sources (such as shale gas and nuclear power) and fossil fuels. The Greens also call for a more ambitious domestic climate emissions reduction target, an efficient European carbon market, greener transport systems and better protection of vulnerable regions such as the Arctic.